I have been not been sleeping well for over 2 weeks now

[NJmaverick]

I am now getting stressed out. Not sure why.

Could be a touch of PTS from having a call involving the death of a 9 year old child

Could be that work has been much more stressful as I deal with phone calls from health providers, the public and health departments all stguggling and often angry over the lack of H1N1 vaccine.

Could be the time change, although I think my body likes standard time better than daylight savings.

Still regardless of the cause it really sucks and seems to be getting worse rather than better.

[NightWatcher]

1. have you tried wearing yourself physically out?

I had this problem (used to have it often) and I tried to run around the neighborhood at my top speed then I hit the heavy bag until I couldnt raise my arms from my side, then I crashed on the bed.

Not quality sleep but sometimes I've found that wearing the body out cam sometimes trump the brain that wont slow down. I would then start chanting "om mani padme hum" over and over again in my head every time a thought tried to enter my head.

[NJmaverick]

3. I will have to try. Although I do eventually fall asleep

it's staying asleep that seems more problematic.

[LeftyFingerPop]

2. I am very sorry to hear about the death of the child...

and I am sorry that you have not been sleeping well.

It sounds like you have been under some terrible stress, and that would certainly cause your sleep problems.

It might not hurt to see a doctor.

I hope you find some good sleep soon. :pals:

[NJmaverick]

4. thanks, I had a longer reply

but I hit the wrong button and lost it

[rcrush]

5. Xanax puts me out like a light.

Stuff is pretty strong but it works. Sounds like you would qualify for a prescription.

[Texasgal]

6. Ambien

Temporarily works like a charm.

[NJmaverick]

7. I just looked that the drug fact sheet

the withdrawl and rebound insomnia issues sort of disturb me

[Texasgal]

11. That's only for a small part of a drug study

getting NO sleep is really bad for your body. I'd check it out... seriously.

[Sanity Claws]

8. Are you avoiding caffeine?

I find that coffee keeps me awake, even if I have a cup in the morning.
A cup of chamomile tea helps you sleep.

[texanwitch]

9. I have had the same problem.

Two weeks of early voting, back to regular work hours, and now back to early voting at the end of the month.

I am sleeping strange hours now.

I use herbal tea and herbs to get some sleep.

[madinmaryland]

10. A four game losing streak will do that. j/k

Hope you are doing better (not the giants)!

[NJmaverick]

22. Well

a few victories by the Giants might lift my spirits.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

12. Maverick --

I vote against the ambien. Try taking a bath at night instead of a shower. Also try sipping a cup of hot chamomile tea before bedtime, or warm milk. Also, maybe take a baby aspirin or a tylenol at night. Good luck :hug:

[NJmaverick]

26. What does the aspirin or tylenol do?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

27. it helps with any minor aches and pains that you are not noticing

due to the fact that you are so focused on your other stresses. Are you doing anything physically that is not involved with work? Like basketball or some type of sports?

[NJmaverick]

29. I work out a few times a week

although I have been fatigued so they are not as strenuous at I would like. Plus I have been doing other physical activities.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

30. how is your BP?

Maybe this is just a phase.

[NJmaverick]

31. I'm hoping it's just a phase.

that in time things and me will calm down. I am going to have to check my BP, I haven't had it checked in a few months.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

32. take a baby aspirin at night.

81 mgs. It can't hurt and it might help. Good luck.

[grasswire]

13. melatonin?

Valerian tea?

There seem to be lots of herbal and lifestyle remedies.

[emilyg]

15. My daughter uses MidNite which

has melatonin.
p.s. I will not get out of the way LOL Emily

[grasswire]

16. LOL

I hope you know the context of my sig.

[emilyg]

41. I would love to know.

[NJmaverick]

19. I already take that stuff regularly

[LynzM]

14. First, hugs....

:hug: :hug: :hug: I'm in the same boat, the more stressed, the more I need the sleep (like right now), the less I get it.

Two suggestions that help me:

1.) Magnesium citrate before bed (relaxes muscles and mind)
2.) Peace Tea - http://www.algonquintea.com/content/teas/peace-tea.shtml

I hope that you are able to sleep well soon, and sorry that things are stressful right now.

[NJmaverick]

21. Are you sure about the Magnesium Citrate

when I looked that stuff up they said it's used as a saline laxitive. Is there a different spelling?

[LynzM]

25. Yes, I'm sure.

My doctor gave it to me for the reasons stated. It does have a mild laxitive affect, and you don't want to take more than recommended, for that reason.

[DainBramaged]

17. We're here

[NJmaverick]

35. thanks!

:hi:

[nemo137]

18. Nothing's worse than feeling crappy when you wake up.

Try exercising a few hours before bed, and keeping your bedroom as dark as possible. I also find that listening to the classical station quietly helps.

Also, if you think that the call is bothering you, try talking to someone. Does your employer have a PTS counselor, or someone who could recommend you to someone?

:pals:

[NJmaverick]

20. I have spoke to friends and family

which is what I have learned is important after calls like that. I have taken the PTS classes that teach us what to do and how to deal with it. So I count on my family and friends when dealing with things like this. So while I think it's a factor, I am not sure it's the only one. I think part of the problem is the lack of sleep makes me irritable which only creates more stress and a snowballing situation. The other is work where the situation with the shortage of vaccine is making everyone more irratable and I am beyond frustrated not being able to help people like I want to. Not having answers or solutions is very very frustrating to me.

[Haole Girl]

23. Maybe you need a tropical vacation

A change of scenery would do you good.

[NJmaverick]

24. That would so do the trick

unfortunately I don't see that happening

[GoCubsGo]

28. Been there, doing that. Some advice...

For me, some of it is the stress of long-term unemployment and a family illness. Some of it's hormonal (a.k.a. menopause-related hot flashes, etc.), and some of it is getting in bad patterns. I have been having issues for the past 3 or 4 years, and am finally starting to get a grip on things. A couple of bits of advice:

If you wake up during the middle of the night, don't turn on any bright lights. You'll reset your biological clock and exacerbate the problem of waking and being unable to go back to sleep. If you need to light something, use a book light or some other dim light source. If at all possible, don't turn on your TV. More bright light. However... For me, the TV is a distraction from ruminating over my problems, which always seem infinitely worse when one is lying alone in bed in the dark. I learned to use the timer to turn it off after 30-60 minutes, because if I fall asleep with it on, it can wake me up again later. I have no problems falling asleep with the TV on, but staying asleep is another story.

Another thing I have found that helps is taking Similasan, which is an homeopathic product. It's fairly widely available. You can take it at 2 or 3 am and still wake up at 6 am without the side effects of sleeping pills. It works fairly well. Sometimes I need 2 doses, but not that often. They also make an anti-anxiety formula. Don't know how well that one works. Info on it here:

http://www.similasanusa.com/products-sleeplessness-relief.cfm

Hope this helps. I know first-hand how bad it sucks, too.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Locrian]

34. Melatonin and Tryptophan

I take about 750 ug of melatonin and 500mg of tryptophan - sometimes a benydryl to help me sleep.
The melatonin dosage can be tricky - too little or too much and it does nothing.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

36. Valerian Root Extract. There are several teas made with it.

might really help

[NJmaverick]

38. I take melatonin, kava kava, and a herbal sleep tablet

that I am pretty sure has valerian root in it. Do you think the teas would be stronger?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

39. it might be more calming.

[spinbaby]

37. Get a physical

Could be thyroid or something.

[NJmaverick]

40. I had a complete physical about 6 months ago

everything was fine then